Transcript:
Many people worry about climate change and want to take action in their communities.
So the University of Minnesota Extension’s Community Climate Leaders program brings people together to explore ways to make a difference.
Marsden: “A lot of people come in who want to connect with other people and want to, like, feel like they’re not alone in being as worried and concerned as they are about climate.”
Christy Marsden oversees the program, which launched this year.
Participants take five online lessons and meet four times as a group.
They learn how climate change affects Minnesota. They read the “Climate Action Handbook,” which provides a list of 100 different climate solutions, and they discuss ways to engage others in these efforts.
Then participants complete a project based on their interests – like finding ways to avoid driving to work or planting a rain garden to help absorb runoff and reduce flooding.
Marsden: “Really focusing on, like … what strengths do you have? What motivates you? What passions do you have? Because being passionate about it and being motivated are the only ways we’re going to make it sustainable for as long as we need to be doing it.”
Marsden says she gets excited watching people turn their anxiety and despair about climate change into hope and action, together.
Reporting credit: Ethan Freedman / ChavoBart Digital Media / Thanks to the Midwest Climate Resilience Conference for logistical support.
